Amiga 2090 a

Ill

COPYRIGHT
This manual Copyright © 1987 Commodore-Amiga, Inc., All Rights Reserved.

This document may not, in whole or in part, be copied, photocopied, repro
duced, translated, or reduced to any electronic medium or machine readable
form, without prior consent, in writing, from Commodore-Amiga, Inc.

Amiga is a registered trademark of Commodore-Amiga, Inc. Commodore and
the Commodore logo are registered trademarks of Commodore Electronics
Limited. Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computers, Inc. Epson is
a registered trademark of Epson America, Inc. Seagate is a registered trademark
of Seagate Technologies, Inc.

WARNING: This equipment has been certified to comply with the limits for a
Class B computing device, pursuant to subpart J of Part 15 of FCC rules.
Operation with non-certified equipment is likely to result in interference to radio
and TV reception.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction..................................................................................1

2. How to Install Your Hard Disk

Removing the Amiga's Cover
Installing a 3 1/2" Hard Disk
Installing a 5 1/4" Hard Disk
Connecting the Hard Disk to the Power Supply

3. How to Install the A2090 Hard Disk/SCSI Controller

4. How to Connect a ST506 Hard Disk

Connecting Two ST506 Hard Disks

5. How to Connect a SCSI Device

Connecting Two Internal SCSI Devices
Connecting External SCSI Devices

6. Hard Disk Installation Software

The Install Software
The MountList Entries
Installing One Hard Disk/No Partitions
Formatting Your Hard Disk
If Your MountList is Not Correct . . .
Installing More Than One Hard Disk
Partitioning Your Hard Disk
Using Multiple Hard Disk Controllers

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3

11

15

19

21

7. How To Use Your Hard Disk

Copying Data to Your Hard Disk

8. Technical Specifications for the A2090 Hard Disk/SCSI
Controller

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35

37

1. Introduction

A hard disk drive is a large capacity data storage unit that can be
installed inside your Amiga 2000. A hard disk can store more
data than a floppy disk, and files stored on hard disk can be

accessed more quickly.
The Amiga 2090 Hard Disk/SCSI Controller can support, both

ST506 hard disks and SCSI (Small Computer System Interface)

systems. Both 3 1/2" and 5 1/4" drives can be installed.

In addition, the A2090 can function as a SCSI "host adapter,"
allowing you to connect one or more external SCSI storage
subsystems such as hard disks, tape streamers, or combined
disk/tape systems. Most external SCSI subsystems designed for
the Macintosh® Plus will plug directly into the rear connector of
the A2090 Controller. (Hard disks and SCSI subsystems are
available from your Commodore-Amiga dealer.)

In order to use a hard disk, you must install the A2090 Hard
Disk/SCSI Controller in your A2000. The Controller acts as a link
between the hard disk and the Amiga 2000's system.

There are several models of hard disks available for use with the
Amiga 2000, including the following:

ST506 Drives SCSI Drives

MiniScribe 3425
MiniScribe 3650
Miniscribe 8425
Seagate® ST225
Seagate ST251

‘with Version 2.04 or higher firmware

Epson® HMD-726A
MiniScribe 8425S*
Quantum Q280
Rodime RO 652
Seagate ST138N
Seagate ST157N
Seagate ST225N
Seagate ST251N

1

This user's guide tells you:

• how to install your hard disk(s)

• how to install the Hard Disk Controller

• how to connect your hard disk to the controller

• how to use the Install software to initialize and partition
your hard disk

This guide assumes the user has a basic understanding of
AmigaDOS and the CLI (Command Line Interface). If you are
not familiar with using the CLI, refer to the Introduction to the
Commodore-Amiga 2000 that came with your computer or pur
chase The AmigaDOS Manual published by Bantam Books.

2

2. How to Install Your

Hard Disk

WARNING: Unplug the Amiga 2000 before installing the hard
disk or the A2090 Hard Disk Controller. Installing the hard
disk or the A2090 with the power on could cause possible
injury to yourself and damage the equipment. Commodore
will not be responsible for any damages caused by improper
installation of the hard disk or the A2090. Such improper in
stallation will void the warranties on both the Amiga 2000 and
the A2090.

Before you start, disconnect the mouse and the keyboard from
the front of the Amiga and the power cord and any peripherals
attached in the rear.

Removing the Amiga's Cover

Remove the two screws on the lower left side of the Amiga that
hold the metal cover to its base. Remove the two screws on the
lower right side of the Amiga. Put the screws and washers aside
for later.

3

Remove the center screw from the rear of the Amiga. Be careful
to unscrew the correct screw as shown.

Turn the Amiga so that you are facing the front of the machine;
the disk drive(s) should be facing you. Grasp the cover on both
sides, slide it towards you, and lift upward.

If the cover gets stuck, do not force it. Look under the top of the
cover towards the middle. Check to see if any wires or cables are
caught under the small projection where the middle screw had
been attached. If anything is caught, gently untangle it, and
continue to slide the cover off.

4

Be sure the power to the Amiga 2000 has been disconnected,
and remove any expansion cards you may have added to the
system.

Your hard disk has jumpers and terminator packs that may

need to be set to identify the unit number of each hard disk you

are using. You should set the jumpers before installing the disk.

(Refer to the hard disk manufacturer's documentation for the
location of the jumpers and terminator packs.)

You may use one or two ST506 hard disks with the A2090. If you
are using one ST506 hard disk, set the jumper to "0". For two
ST506 hard disks, set the jumper on the first drive to "0" and the
jumper on the second drive to "1", and remove the terminator
pack from the first drive.

You can use up to seven SCSI devices. The jumpers should be
set as follows:

SCSI Device

1st

2nd

3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th

Jumper Setting

0

1

2

3
4
5

6

5

In the case of SCSI hard drives, you must also remove the
terminator packs from all but the last device. Again, refer to the
manufacturer's documentation for the location of the jumpers
and the terminator packs.

Installing a 3 1/2" Hard Disk

Notice the metal plate where the internal floppy disk drive is
attached. Your 3 1/2" hard disk will be mounted on that plate to
the left of the floppy drive. To secure the screws that will hold
your hard disk in place, you need to lift up the plate.

Four screws hold the metal plate in place; two on the right side
and two on the left. Remove the four screws, and gently lift up
the plate.

6

Notice the vertical and horizontal slots cut into the plate. The
screws for your hard disk will go through these slots.

Position your hard disk on the plate, and working from the
underside of the plate, secure the screws, as shown above.

Put the metal plate back in place, and insert the screws loosely.
Do not screw them all the way in. You should have some
leeway to slide the plate back and forth, since you need to make
sure that the face of the floppy disk drive is flush with the face of
the Amiga.

To do this, slide the metal plate forward, and place the cover
over the top of the machine without replacing the screws. If the
disk drive is not flush with the face of the machine, gently slide
it back until it is in place. Carefully lift off the cover, and tighten
the screws holding the metal plate.

Note: Some 3 1/2" hard disks may come with a 5 1/4" frame. If
you have a disk like this, it can be mounted as described above
without using the frame. Or it can be installed as a 5 1/4" drive. If
you want to use two 3 1/2" hard disks, one of them must have
the 5 1/4" frame.

7

Installing a 5 1/4" Hard Disk

Your 5 1/4" hard disk slides into the slot underneath the internal
floppy disk drive. There will be at least four screw holes on your
hard disk. Working through the rectangular openings on each
side of the enclosure, insert the screws loosely. Do not screw

them all the way in.

If your hard disk does not have a front bezel with a drive light
(LED), you can skip the next paragraph. Simply, slide the drive
toward the back of the opening and tighten the screws.

If your drive does have a front bezel with a drive LED, you need
to remove the screws that hold the cover over the 5 1/4" drive
opening. You should be able to slide the hard disk back and
forth so that you can make sure the hard disk is flush with the
face of the Amiga. To do this, push the drive forward, then
place the cover over the top of the machine without replacing
any screws. If the hard disk is not flush with the face of the
Amiga, gently slide it back until it is in place. Carefully lift off
the cover, and finish tightening the screws.

8

Connecting the Hard Disk to the Power Supply

You must also connect your hard disk to the Amiga's power
supply. Locate the cord running from the power supply that
separates into two sets of wires, each with a large, plastic 4-pin
connector on the end. Attach one of the 4-pin connectors to your
hard disk. (The second 4-pin connector can be used for a second
hard disk.) Refer to the manufacturer's documentation for the
exact location of the disk drive's power connector.

9

3. How to Install the A2090
Hard Disk/SCSI

Controller

You can install the A2090 in any one of the five 100-pin expan

sion slots shown, but preferably, it should go in a slot that is as
close to the disk drives as possible.

11

Remove the screw that holds down the metal plate in the back of
the slot. Lift out the plate, and save the screw. You may also
want to save the plate in case you ever remove your Hard Disk
Controller.

Applying slight pressure, insert the board into the slot, as

shown. The bracket should be towards the back with the chips
facing the right.

Using the screw that held down the metal plate, secure the
A2090 board.

12

If your hard disk drive does not have it's own built-in light, you
may want to connect the Amiga's hard disk light (LED). The
hard disk LED is on the front left side of the Amiga under the
power LED. Look inside the casing, and there will be two wires
with a very small connector on the end running from this light.
Plug the connector into the appropriate connector on your hard
disk. Again, refer to the manufacturer's documentation for the
exact location of the LED connector.

Alternatively, you can plug the LED wire into the two-pin con
nector on the A2090 marked "J5 LED." It's near the lower right
rear corner of the Controller board.

If the LED does not light during your initial testing, reverse the
polarity of the LED plug.

The Hard Disk/SCSI Controller is now installed, but you still

must connect the board to your hard disk.

13

4. How to Connect a ST506

Hard Disk

The A2090 Hard Disk Controller can support up to two ST506

hard disk units.
To connect the hard disk to the Controller, you need two cables.

The cables will run from the back of the hard disk and connect to
pins in the top row of the A2090.

When connecting the cables, you must make sure that pin 1 of
the cable is aligned with pin 1 of the connector. Pin 1 on the
cable will be designated by a colored stripe running along the
edge of the cable and by an arrow or indentation in the plastic
housing surrounding the pins.

Pin 1 on the Hard Disk Controller connectors is designated by a
small "1" on the top, righthand side of the connector. Pin 1 on
your hard disk should also be marked in some fashion. Check
the documentation supplied by the manufacturer of the device.

15

Locate the three pin connectors running horizontally along the
top of the Hard Disk Controller; there are two 20-pin connectors
(two rows of 10 pins) and one 34-pin connector (two rows of 17
pins).

20-pin connector 20-pin connector

(for 2nd ST506 drive) (for 1st ST506 drive) 34-pin connector

The wide cable connects to a connector on the back of your hard
disk, and then to the 34-pin connector on the Hard Disk Con
troller.

Warning: Be sure to insert the cable gently so that you don't
damage any pins. When you are positive that the cable is orient
ed in the right direction, insert it all the way.

The narrow cable also connects to the rear of your hard disk,
and then to the 20-pin connector on the Hard Disk Controller. If
you are facing the Hard Disk Controller, it's the connector
immediately to the left of the 34-pin connector.

16

Connecting Two ST506 Hard Disks

If you're using two ST506 hard disks, you need three cables: two

narrow, 20-pin cables and one wide 34-pin cable that "daisy

chains" so that you can connect it to both hard disks. In other

words, the wide cable should have three connectors.
Attach one edge card connector of the wide cable to the rear of

the first hard disk, the other edge card connector to the rear of
the other hard disk, and the pin connector to the Hard Disk
Controller.

Use one 20-pin cable for each hard disk. For your first drive,
attach the edge card connector to the rear of the drive, then
attach the pin connector end to the 20-pin connector on the
Hard Disk Controller that is immediately to the left of the 34-pin
connector.

For your second drive, attach the edge card connector to the
hard disk, then connect the pin connector to the remaining 20-
pin connector on the Hard Disk Controller.

Now you need to format your hard drive. Just as you can't use a

blank floppy disk without formatting it first, your new hard disk

must also be initialized. See Chapter 6, "Hard Disk Installation
Software," for further instructions.

17

5. How to Connect a

SCSI Device

You can use up to seven SCSI devices with your Amiga 2000 and
the A2090 Hard Disk Controller. However, there is only room
for two internal hard drives. Additional external SCSI devices
can be connected to the port on the rear of the Hard Disk
Controller (it is accessible from the rear of the Amiga without
removing the cover).

To connect an internal SCSI hard disk to the controller board,
you need one cable with a 50-pin connector on each end.

When connecting the cable, you must make sure that pin 1 of
the cable is aligned with pin 1 of the connector. Pin 1 on the
cable will be designated by a colored stripe running along the
edge of the cable and by an arrow or indentation in the plastic
housing surrounding the pins.

Pin 1 on the SCSI connector on the Hard Disk Controller is in the
lower right. There will be a small "1" marked on the board.

The cable for your SCSI drive connects to the rear of the hard
disk, then to the long, 50-pin connector that runs vertically
along the rear of the Hard Disk Controller.

19

50-pin

SCSI

connector

Warning: Be sure to insert the cable gently so that you don't
damage any pins. When you're positive that the cable is orient
ed properly, insert it all the way.

Connecting Two Internal SCSI Devices

To connect a second SCSI drive, you need a cable that "daisy

chains" so that you can connect it to both hard disks and to the
Hard Disk Controller. In other words, the cable must have three
connectors instead of two.

Attach one edge card connector to the rear of your first hard
disk, the other edge card connector to the rear of the second
hard disk, and the pin connector to the 50-pin connector on the
Hard Disk Controller.

Connecting External SCSI Devices

External SCSI drives are connected to the Hard Disk Controller

through the port on the rear of the Hard Disk Controller. This
port is accessible from the rear of the Amiga 2000 without
removing the Amiga's cover. Gently insert the cable or connec
tor on your SCSI device into this port. There should be a screw
on each side of your cable which can be tightened to secure the
connection.

Your external SCSI drive will need its own power source; it
cannot be connected to the Amiga's power supply. Consult the
hard disk manufacturer's documentation for details.

Once the hard disk(s) and the Hard Disk Controller are installed
and properly connected, you can slide the cover back onto its
base and replace the five screws. Remember to use the washers
to hold the cover tightly in place.

Now you need to format your hard disk(s). Just as you can't use
a blank floppy disk without formatting it first, your new hard
disk must also be initialized. See Chapter 6, "Hard Disk Installa
tion Software," for further instructions.

20

6. Hard Disk Installation

Software

In order to use your hard disk with the Amiga, you need to tell

the machine that a hard disk has been installed. To do this you'll
use the Install disk that came with the Hard Disk Controller. In
this chapter, you'll learn how to:

• initialize your ST506 or SCSI hard disk

• add additional hard disks to the system

• partition your hard disk(s)

We'll start by giving you a brief overview on how the Install
software actually works. Please read through this Chapter thor

oughly before using the Install software.

The Install Software

When you insert the Install disk into your Amiga and double
click on its icon, a window will open. In this window you'll see
three icons: the Trashcan, a hard disk drawer, and the Install
icon. To start the Install program, double-click on the Install
icon. Don't do this yet, however. Be sure to read through all the

instructions first.

21

The Install program will copy files from the Install disk onto a
RAM: disk, then into directories on your Workbench. These files
must be on your Workbench in order to format and partition
your hard disk. The files include:

File Directory

hddisk
hddisk.info

prep

MountList

After Install copies the files onto your Workbench, it will auto
matically go into Prep. Prep is the program the Amiga uses to
initialize the first two cylinders of your hard disk (cylinders 0
and 1). These two cylinders are specifically allocated for Amiga
software use. The rest of the drive will be available for data
storage.

Warning: You only need to run the Install program once. Run
ning Install more than once will recopy the same files to your
Workbench disk.

Expansion

c A special CLI command that is

devs

Description
Device Driver (tells the Amiga that

a hard disk has been installed)

used to initialize the first two cylin
ders of a hard disk.

Tells the Amiga the specifications
of the particular disk you are using
(i.e. the size of the partitions, etc.).
Used in conjunction with the CLI
"mount" command.

22

The MountList Entries

When you run the Install program, it will add MountList entries

to the MountList file in the "devs" directory on the Workbench.

After you run Install and Prep, but before you format your

drive, you should compare the entries to any specifications
outlined by the manufacturer of your hard disk.

For each hard disk device you install, the Amiga needs a unit
assignment. The unit assignment is included in the MountList
entry to tell the Amiga which hard drive the entry refers to—the
first ST506 drive, the second ST506, the first SCSI drive, etc.
Likewise, an AmigaDOS assignment is used by the CLI to differ
entiate between multiple hard disks. The allowable Unit and
AmigaDOS assignments are as follows:

Hard Disk Unit
1st ST506 device 1

2nd ST506 device 2
1st SCSI device 3
2nd SCSI device 4
3rd SCSI device 5

4th SCSI device 6
5th SCSI device 7
6th SCSI device 8

7th SCSI device 9

A unit of 0 is never allowed.
Use the CLI screen editor to access the Mountlist file:

ed dfO: devs/Mountlist

23

AmigaDOS Assignment

dhO:
dhl:
dh2:
dh3:
dh4:
dh5:
dh6:
dh7:
dh8:

The MountList entries correspond with the following informa

tion:

Device
Unit

Flags
Surfaces

BlocksPerTrack should correspond with the physical drive's

Reserved

Interleave

LowCyl
HighCyl
Buffers

BufMemType

must be "hddisk.device"
must correspond with the physical drive, as
outlined in the preceding table
should be "0"
should correspond with the physical drive

(same as number of heads)

sectors per track
must be "2"

determines the number of physical sectors
between consecutively formatted sector
numbers; should be "0" for ST506 drives and
some SCSI drives, but may vary for other SCSI
devices (check the manufacturer's
documentation). Drive manufacturers usually
express interleave values as a ratio of the
number of physical sectors the head travels to
the number of sectors accessed. The interleave
value for the MountList can be determined by
subtracting the second number from the first
(i.e., a ratio of 1:1 equals an interleave value of
0; 2:1 = 1; 3:1 = 2, and so on),
the cylinder where this partition begins
the cylinder where this partition ends
the number of sector buffers AmigaDOS is to
use for caching certain information, like
directory and file headers. The larger the
number, the faster the information is accessed.
However, if the number is too large, too much
RAM is taken from the system. It is
recommended to use a number between 20
and 30 for each partition,
determines the type of memory that the

buffers are stored in; should be "0" (any
memory) for hard disks, but could also be 1 for
public memory, 2 for chip memory, or 4 for
fast memory

24

You should see an entry for an ST506 device such as the one

shown below:

RESO: Device = hddisk.device

Unit = 1
Flags = 0
Surfaces = 4
BlocksPerTrack = 17
Reserved = 2
Interleave = 0
LowCyl = 0; HighCyl = 1
Buffers = 1
BufMemType = 0

#

There should also be a similar entry for a SCSI device named
"RES2:". Remember: You won't be able to check these entries
until you run Install and the files are copied onto your Work
bench.

The important thing to watch is that your unit designation is
correct. (Refer to the table earlier in this chapter.) Be sure to give

each MountList entry a different name. It's important that you
can remember the name for each entry and can associate the
name with the correct drive.

Also, each entry in the MountList must be followed by a # sign.
The # sign must be entered on its own separate line.

Before you continue, keep in mind the following:

1) Always check your MountList entries before entering a
mount, prep or format command.

2) Always run mount before running Prep or formatting a

drive.

3) Always run Prep before formatting a drive. Never run Prep
after formatting a drive, or you will lose everything you have
stored on your disk.

4) Formatting a drive will erase everything you have stored on
your hard disk.

25

Installing One Hard Disk/No Partitions

Start the Install program by double-clicking on its icon. Install
will update the files on your Workbench disk. Then, it will
display the following prompt:

"Warning: This procedure will clear your hard disk. Your
Amiga must be rebooted at the conclusion. Do you want to
Continue?"

Caution: The default MountList entry for RESO: and RES2: is for
a hard drive with 17 blocks per track and 4 surfaces. If this is not
correct, exit the Install program and change the appropriate
MountList entry now.

Type a "y" (for yes) and hit return to continue. (If for any
reason, you don't want to continue, type "n" (for no) and hit
return.)

Continue to watch the screen. Next, the Amiga will ask:

"Is this a SCSI hard disk?"

If you are using a SCSI drive, type "y" and hit return for a yes
answer; if you are using a ST506 drive, type "n" and hit return.

The Amiga will now display "PREP Version 33.16" and a list of
compatible hard disks. If your hard disk is not installed correct

ly, the program will not display the list of hard disks. Go back
and double-check your cable and power hook-ups. You will
have to reset your Amiga before continuing.

The Amiga will ask you to choose your hard disk from this list. If
your hard disk is on the list and you do not want to partition the
disk, simply type in the corresponding number and hit return.
The machine will then run through a short series of questions
and will display default answers suited to your particular drive.
Simply hit return to choose the default.

26

If your hard disk is not on this list, enter a "1" to choose "User
Defined." Then answer the questions with the appropriate

specifications for your particular disk (refer to the manufactur
er's documentation that came with your hard disk).

Be careful of the last question that asks you if you want to
proceed. The default for this question is "no," and you must
answer yes, to continue.

If you answered "yes", the Amiga may now take anywhere
from a few seconds to minutes to PREP the system. When it is
finished it will tell you to format drive "dhO:", if you are using a
ST506 device, or "dh2:" for a SCSI device.

You must reboot the system to continue.

Formatting Your Hard Disk

Before formatting your hard disk, be sure to check your Mount-
List entries. If your entry is incorrect, see the next section "If
Your MountList Entry Is Not Correct..." before formatting
your drive.

If your MountList entry is correct and you are just using one
ST506 hard disk and/or one SCSI hard disk, format your hard
disk using CLI's Format command. The correct command, for
your first ST506 hard disk is:

format drive dhO: name "name"

For your first SCSI drive, use:

format drive dh2: name "name"

The "name" entry refers to what you want your disk to be
called—the volume name.

The important thing to remember when formatting your disk is
to use the correct AmigaDOS assignment for each drive you are
formatting.

27

If Your MountList Entry Is Not Correct...

If your Mountlist entry is not correct, make the necessary
changes by using CLI's screen editor. The most common
changes will be to the Unit, Surfaces, and BlocksPerTrack en
tries. Sometimes it may also be necessary to change the entries
for LowCyl, HighCyl, and Buffers.

After you have made the changes, reboot the system. Do not
run Install again.

Open a CLI window, and use the AmigaDOS mount command
to make the Amiga aware of the new MountList information.
Simply, type:

mount name: (use the name given to the first two cylinders

of the disk — RESO: for a ST506 drive or
RES2: for a SCSI disk)

Then you must run Prep to initialize these first two cylinders.

Type:

prep name: (either RESO: or RES2:)

You will again be prompted for information describing your
drive type, etc. Either select the default answers by hitting
return, or enter the correct values as outlined by the hard disk
manufacturer. Be sure to answer yes to the last question that
asks you if you want to proceed. When Prep is complete, reboot
the Amiga, and format the disk with CLI's format command (see
the previous section on formatting your hard disk).

Installing More Than One Hard Disk

If you are installing more than one hard disk, you need addi
tional entries in your Mountlist file. For a second ST506 drive,
that you are not going to partition, you need one entry for the
first two cylinders. For example:

28

RES1: Device = hddisk. device

Unit = 2
Flags = 0
Surfaces = 4
BlocksPerTrack = 17
Reserved = 2
Interleave = 0
LowCyl = 0;HighCyl = 1
Buffers = 1
BufMemType = 0

#

To make the Amiga aware of your second ST506 hard disk, you

need to mount the disk and run Prep. For instance, if your

second unit is named RES1: (as in the example above), you

should open a CLI window and type:

mount RES1:
prep RES1:

Prep will again ask you a series of questions about the particular

specifications of your drive. When Prep is complete, reboot the

system, and mount and format your second drive. Remember,

the AmigaDOS assignment for this hard disk will be dhl:.

For a second and each subsequent SCSI drive, you need at least

two entries for each disk: one entry solely for the first two

cylinders of the disk and another entry for the remaining cylin

ders. For example, an entry for your 2nd SCSI device, which is

not partitioned, might look like this:

RES3: Device = hddisk. device

Unit = 4
Flags = 0
Surfaces = 4
BlocksPerTrack = 17
Reserved = 2
Interleave = 0
LowCyl = 0;HighCyl = 1
Buffers = 1
BufMemType = 0

29

DH3: Device = hddisk. device

Unit = 4
Flags = 0
Surfaces = 4
BlocksPerTrack = 17
Reserved = 2
Interleave = 0
LowCyl = 2;HighCyl = 611
Buffers = 30

BufMemType = 0

#

To make the Amiga aware of the existence of the second and

subsequent SCSI hard disks, you need to mount each partition
of each disk and run Prep for the first two cylinders of each disk.

For example, for a second SCSI drive, type:

mount RES3:
prep RES3:

Reboot your Amiga, open a CLI window, and type:

mount DH3:
format drive DH3: name "Second SCSI"

Remember: You do not need to mount the first partition (cylin
ders 2 through [default]) of drives dhO:, dhl:, and dh2:. The
Amiga will automatically do that. But, you do need to mount the
first partition of each subsequent SCSI device.

Partitioning Your Hard Disk

If you are going to partition your hard disk, you must modify
your Mountlist file. Remember, cylinders 0 and 1 are reserved
for Amiga software use, but the rest of the disk is available for
data storage. You can divide the remaining cylinders into as
many partitions as you need.

30

For ST506 hard disks and the first SCSI device, you need an

entry for every partition except the first one (cylinders 2 through

x). When you run Prep, the third question will ask you to enter

the last cylinder to be used for the first partition.

Here's a sample entry for a 20MB ST506 device divided into two

equal partitions. (This example assumes that this is the first

drive in the system.) The MountList entry for cylinders 0 and 1

would have been added when the Install program was running.

The first partition will use cylinders 2 through 305. When Prep is

asking you its series of questions, be sure to change the last

cylinder to be used for the first partition (question 3) to 305.

The second partition will use cylinders 306 through 611. Be sure

that the low cylinder in your MountList entry for the second

partition is just one above the last cylinder used for the first

partition. For example:

P2: Device = hddisk.device

Unit = 1
Flags = 0
Surfaces = 4
BlocksPerTrack = 17
Reserved = 2
Interleave = 0
LowCyl = 306; HighCyl = 611
Buffers = 20
BufMemType = 0

#

After modifying your MountList file, reboot the system.
Before you can format your hard disk, you must use the Amiga-

DOS mount command to make the Amiga aware of the partition
and run Prep to initialize the first two cylinders.

31

Open a CLI window, and type "mount RESO:". Then Prep the
first two cylinders, by typing "prep RESO:". Be sure to change
the default answer for question three. The ending cylinder for
the first partition should be one number below the low cylinder
in your MountList entry for the second partition. In this case the
low cylinder for "P2:" is 306, so you should enter 305 for the last
cylinder of the first partition.

You must mount the second partition—"mount P2:". Then for

mat each partition of the hard disk, including the first one, by

using the CLI format command.
For example:

format drive dhO: name PARTI
format drive P2: name PART2

Be sure that each partition is assigned a different name so that
the Amiga can differentiate between them.

In the case of a second and each subsequent SCSI drive, you
need an entry in the MountList for each partition, including the
first one (cylinder 2 through x).

For instance, here's sample entry for a 20MB SCSI device divid
ed into two partitions. This device is the second SCSI device in
the system.

RES3: Device = hddisk. device

Unit = 4
Flags = 0
BlocksPerTrack = 17
Reserved = 2
Interleave = 0
LowCyl = 0;HighCyl = 1
Buffers = 1
BufMemType = 0

#

32

DH3: Device = hddisk. device

Unit = 4
Flags = 0
Surfaces = 4
BlocksPerTrack = 17

Reserved = 2
Interleave = 0
LowCyl = 2;HighCyl = 305
Buffers = 30
BufMemType = 0

#

PART2: Device = hddisk. device

Unit = 4
Flags = 0
Surfaces = 4
BlocksPerTrack = 17
Reserved = 2
Interleave = 0
LowCyl = 306;HighCyl = 611
Buffers = 30
BufMemType = 0

#

Then you would need to mount each partition, prep the first
two cylinders, and format each partition. For example:

mount RES3:

prep RES3:

Reboot your Amiga, open a CLI window, and type:

mount DH3:
mount PART2:

format drive DH3: name "Drive 3A"
format drive PART2: name "Drive 3B"

33

Remember, for ST506 hard disks and/or your first SCSI drive:

1) Mount the first two cylinders and every partition, except
the first one.

2) Prep the first two cylinders.

3) Format every partition, including the first one.

For additional SCSI drives:

1) Mount the first two cylinders and every partition.

2) Prep the first two cylinders.

3) Format every partition.

Using Multiple Hard Disk Controllers

It is possible to install more than one A2090 Hard Disk Control
ler into the Amiga 2000 if you would want to use more than two
ST506 hard disks and 7 SCSI devices with your Amiga system.

If you were to add a second Controller, you could use up to 18
hard disks. The unit assignments for hard disks connected to
the second Controller would be as follows:

Hard Disk Unit
3rd ST506 device 11
4th ST506 device 12
8th SCSI device

13

9th SCSI device 14

10th SCSI device

15

11th SCSI device

16

12th SCSI device

17

13th SCSI device

18

14th SCSI device 19

AmigaDOS Assignment

diO:
dil:
di2:
di3:
di4:
di5:
di6:
di7:
di8:

34

7. How To Use Your Hard
Disk

Once your hard disk has been properly installed and formatted,
you can use the disk for program and data storage.

The Amiga automatically recognizes hard disks with the Amiga-

DOS designations dhO:, dhl:, and dh2: (the first two ST506 hard
disks and the first SCSI drive). However, if you've added addi

tional SCSI drives to your system, or if you've partitioned any of
your drives, you must tell the Amiga these drives or partitions
are in place each time you boot the system.

You can do this by opening a CLI window and separately
mounting each drive and partition (by using the AmigaDOS
MOUNT command). Or, you can add the MOUNT commands
to your Startup-Sequence. This way, each time you boot the
system all the drives and partitions will be recognized.

For instance, if you've partitioned a second SCSI device (as
outlined on pages 32 and 33), you'd enter:

mount dh3:
mount PART 2:

Each hard disk and partition can be accessed through disk icons

that appear on the Workbench screen. If an icon for a hard disk

or partition doesn't appear when you boot the system, don't be

alarmed. To bring the icon to the screen, simply enter a CLI

command involving that disk or partition. For example, use the

CD command for each drive and partition. When the CLI access

es that disk, its icon will displayed on the screen.

To have the icon(s) appear on the screen each time you boot the

Amiga, add a simple CLI command for each disk or partition to

your Startup-Sequence.

35

Copying Data to Your Hard Disk

You can either use the Workbench or the CLI to copy files to

your hard disk. To move a file to your hard disk using the

Workbench, simply double-click on the icon for the hard disk or

partition you want to use, and a window will appear. Drag the

file's icon into the window, and that file will be copied to the

hard disk. (We suggest you create drawers on your hard disk for

storing your files.)

To copy a file using CLI, use the copy command. The correct

syntax for this command is:

copy [from] <name> [to] <name>

For example, if you had a file named "Payables" on a floppy

disk labeled "Acctng", and you wanted to copy "Payables" to

your first ST506 hard disk named "HardDisk", you would type:

copy [from] Acctng:Payables [to] HardDisk:

You can also copy all the files from a floppy disk to the hard disk

by using the copy command with the ail option. For example:

copy dfO: to dhO: all

copies all the directories and subdirectories on the floppy disk

DFO: onto the hard disk DHO:.

To open a file stored on hard disk, double-click on the icon for

the hard disk or its partition. When the hard disk window

appears, double-click on the icon for the file you wish to open.

If you've partitioned your hard disk, or if you are using several

hard disks, you should make a list of the names you've assigned

to each disk and each partition. Also, remember to periodically

make a back-up copy of your hard disk files by copying them

onto floppy disks. This way your information is safe if anything

should ever happen to your hard disk.

36

8. Technical Specifications
for the A2090 Hard Disk/

SCSI Controller

The Amiga Hard Disk/SCSI Controller is an intelligent high
performance controller designed to interface both ST506 hard
disk drives and SCSI devices to the Amiga expansion bus archi
tecture. A background command processor provides high level
command interpretation minimizing Host intervention. Data is
transferred to and from the Host via DMA (direct memory
access) with FIFO allowing high data throughput while main
taining reasonable bus bandwidth for other bus controllers.

Features

• Support for up to two ST506 hard disk drives

• High level command interpretation and exceptional handling
performed by Z80 processor

• Individually Programmable Drive Characteristics

• 32 bit ECC for data correction

• Multiple block transfers

• Full auto-config compatibility

• Real time data transfer rates of up to 800ns/byte via DMA

37

Specifications

Performance
Hard Disk (ST506)

Encoding method:
Cylinder per head:
Sectors per track:
Sector length:
Heads:
Drive Selects:
Step Rate:
Data Transfer Rate:
Write Precomp Time:
Sector Interleave:
Sector Interleave Across Heads: 1:2
Ecc Polynomial:
Burst Error Correction:

SCSI

ANSI X3T9.2 compatible
Macintosh Plus compatible connector

Host Interface

Amiga expansion bus compatible
Full Auto-config compatibility

Power Requirements

+ 5 Volts ±5% 3 Amps. Max.

MFM
Up to 2048
Up to 17
512

8
2

3.2 us to 6.5ms

5.0 Mbit/sec.
12 nanoseconds

1:1

32 bits
11 bits

Environmental

Ambient Temperature: 0° - 55° C
Relative Humidity 20% - 80%

38

Internal SCSI Connector

• 50 • 49

• 48

• 46

• 44

• 42 • 41

• 40 • 39

• 38 • 37

• 36 • 35

• 34

• 32

• 30

• 28 • 27

• 26 • 25

• 24

• 22 • 21

• 20 • 19

• 18 • 17

• 16 • 15

• 14

• 12 • 11

• 10

• 8

• 6 • 5

• 4 • 3

• 2 • 1

• 47

• 45

• 43

• 33

• 31

• 29

• 23

• 13

• 9

• 7

Pin
50
48
46
44
42
40
38
36
34
32
30
28
26
24

22

20

18
16
14

12

10

8
6

4

2

Name

- I/O

- REQ

- C/D

- SEL

- MSG

- RST

- ACK

- BSY
Ground

- ATN
Ground
Ground

N.C.
Ground
Ground
Ground

- DB(P)

- DB(7)

- DB(6)

- DB(5)

- DB(4)

- DB(3)

- DB(2)

- DB(1)

- DB(0)

All odd pins, except pin

25, are

ground. Pin 25 is open.

39

External SCSI Connector (DB-25)

\ 13 12 11 10

9 8 7

\« • • •

(Female \ # # # # # # #
Connector) V

Pin Name

1 - REQ
2 - MSG
3 - I/O

4 - RST

5 - ACK
6 - BSY
7 Ground
8 - DBO
9 Ground
10 - DB3
11 - DB5
12 - DB6
13 - DB7

\ 25 24 23 22 21 20 19

Pin Name
14 Ground
15 - C/D
16 Ground
17 - ATN
18 Ground
19 - SEL
20 - DBP
21 - DB1
22 - DB2
23 - DB4
24 Ground
25 TPWR

40

319943-01

Cs Commodore9

Commodore Business Machines, Inc.

1200 Wilson Drive • West Chester, PA 19380

Commodore Business Machines, Inc.

3470 Pharmacy Avenue • Agincourt, Ontario M1W 3G3

Printed in U.S.A .

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